Mains
Mains · GS Paper II · 220 questions
GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice & international relations
UPSC's official syllabus for this paper, line by line — how many questions each line has drawn since 2016. Open a line to read them all, with an approach for each.
- Federalism & devolution“Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.” 24 questions
- Groupings & agreements“Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.” 22 questions
- Parliament & state legislatures“Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.” 17 questions
- Constitution: evolution, features & basic structure“Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.” 15 questions
- Health, education & human resources“Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.” 14 questions
- Constitutional bodies“Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.” 13 questions
- Governance, transparency & e-governance“Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.” 12 questions
- Executive, judiciary & pressure groups“Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.” 11 questions
- NGOs, SHGs & the development sector“Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.” 11 questions
- Welfare of vulnerable sections“Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.” 11 questions
- Other countries' policies & the diaspora“Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.” 10 questions
- Comparing constitutions“Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.” 9 questions
- Poverty & hunger“Issues relating to poverty and hunger.” 9 questions
- International institutions“Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.” 9 questions
- Government policies & interventions“Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.” 8 questions
- Representation of the People Act“Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.” 7 questions
- Separation of powers & dispute redressal“Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.” 6 questions
- Statutory, regulatory & quasi-judicial bodies“Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.” 6 questions
- Civil services in a democracy“Role of civil services in a democracy.” 6 questions
- India & its neighbourhood“India and its neighborhood- relations.” 4 questions
Source of the syllabus text: UPSC Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP (Civil Services Examination, 2026), Section III, pp. 32–36 (PDF ↗).